REVIEW · USA
Las Vegas Safari Tram Ride and Zoo Tour at Camel Safari
Camel Safari is less a quick zoo stop than a working animal property spread across 176 desert acres. You ride a tram out to more than 30 camels, then walk with a keeper to meet animals ranging from zebra and singing dogs to porcupines and a two-toed sloth. I like the chance to ask questions directly and the hands-on moments, including feeding certain animals and posing with an ambassador camel.
I also like the small-group feel and the personal touch reported from guides such as Guy, Allie, and Adam. The main caution is the drive: this is in Bunkerville, about an hour from Las Vegas, and desert heat can affect operations. One booking record also lists a maximum of 25 people, while the tour highlights a group of 12, so confirm the group size when you book.
Key points before you go

- More than 30 camels on a 176-acre property: The tram gives you a broad look at the camel area instead of limiting the visit to one enclosure.
- A keeper-led animal tour: You can ask questions while visiting camels, zebras, singing dogs, sloths, porcupines, armadillos, hedgehogs, and other animals on the property.
- Hands-on moments included: Feeding a porcupine or sloth may be possible, and the tour includes a photo opportunity with an ambassador camel.
- A useful choice for families: The mix of education, tram riding, and animal contact works well for children and adults who want more than a standard viewing experience.
- About an hour from Las Vegas: You need to plan for the drive to 2725 River Cliff Road in Bunkerville, Nevada.
- Weather matters: Bring a hat and sunscreen, and pay attention to heat warnings because extreme conditions can lead to cancellations.
The drive from Las Vegas to Camel Safari

Camel Safari is at 2725 River Cliff Road in Bunkerville, Nevada, roughly an hour outside Las Vegas. That location is important when judging the experience. This is not a quick add-on between a hotel breakfast and an afternoon show on the Strip. You are setting aside a morning or part of a day for a rural animal visit.
The reward for the drive is room to spread out. The property covers 176 acres, so the setting feels more like an animal farm and open desert compound than a compact city zoo. The tram is useful here because it lets you cover more ground without spending the entire visit walking under the sun.
The listed start time is 10:00 a.m. Plan to arrive with enough time to find the property and get settled. The exact amount of time on site is listed as about two hours, though the pace can vary. Some experiences at the property have lasted longer when the group spent extra time asking questions and interacting with animals.
That flexibility is part of the appeal, but it also means you should not schedule a tight appointment immediately afterward. A keeper may spend extra time explaining an animal or giving you a closer look, especially if the group is small.
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Starting with the camel safari tram

The tram ride is the first major part of this experience. You board with the guide and travel across the property to see the camel herd. More than 30 camels call Camel Safari home, along with llamas and donkeys mentioned during other animal visits.
The scale matters. You are not simply standing beside a single camel for a quick photograph. The tram takes you into the wider property, where you can see the animals in a desert setting and learn about how camelids live and adapt to dry conditions.
The guide explains the history of camelids and their physical adaptations. That can include the basic features that make camels so well suited to arid places, though the exact discussion will depend on your guide and the questions you ask.
This is where the personality of the guide matters most. Guy, Allie, and Adam have each led visits at the property, and the experience is built around direct conversation rather than a recorded narration. You can ask about the animals you are seeing instead of waiting for a fixed script to catch up with your curiosity.
The tram also helps families. Children can watch the herd while staying seated, and adults get a wider view of the property. You should still expect desert sun and open conditions. A hat, sunscreen, and water are sensible choices, especially during warmer months.
Meeting the ambassador camels

After seeing the herd, the tour turns toward closer contact. You may get hands-on with an ambassador camel and take a photo. This is one of the strongest parts of the package for anyone who wants a personal animal encounter rather than a distant view.
The distinction is worth noting. The package describes a photo and interaction with an ambassador camel, not a camel ride. If riding is your goal, check the current offerings before booking. The supplied information specifically describes the tram and zoo tour, so you should not assume that a ride is included.
The camel contact also gives the guide a chance to explain animal behavior and handling. You can ask questions in the moment, which makes the encounter more useful than a quick photo stop. Children often respond well to this kind of contact because the animal facts have a clear connection to what they can see and touch.
Still, animal behavior controls the pace. A camel may be calm and friendly, but the tour cannot promise a particular pose or interaction every time. That is a normal limitation of a live-animal experience, not a flaw.
Walking the property with the keepers
The second half takes you around the property to meet the other animals. The lineup can include zebras, singing dogs, a two-toed sloth, porcupines, armadillos, hedgehogs, opossums, llamas, and a zebra-donkey hybrid. The mix is unusual enough to keep the visit from feeling like a single-animal attraction.
I like the variety because it gives the tour several different rhythms. The camels provide the large-animal focus. Smaller animals offer closer viewing and, in some cases, feeding opportunities. The sloth brings a quieter moment, while the singing dogs provide a more active and distinctive stop.
The tour is not only about checking species off a list. Keepers explain the animals and answer questions as you move from one area to the next. That makes the property especially useful for families with children, since a child can ask why an animal behaves a certain way and receive an answer on the spot.
The feeding moments are among the most memorable possibilities. Specific visits have included feeding a porcupine and a sloth. Because these are living animals with individual routines, you should treat those interactions as part of the keeper’s judgment rather than a guaranteed performance at a fixed time.
The same applies to animal visibility. A sloth may remain in place, and another creature may not feel like moving when the group arrives. That can be amusing or disappointing depending on your expectations. The best approach is to appreciate the chance to see the animals in their own rhythm, not to expect every one to perform.
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What makes the animal care part important
A visit like this depends heavily on how the animals are treated. The property presents itself as a place where keepers put animal welfare first, and the experience is built around education and controlled contact rather than constant spectacle.
You will see animals that are reported to have shiny coats, calm behavior, and clean surroundings. Those details do not prove everything about an operation, but they are useful signs to notice when you visit. Pay attention to how staff handle the animals, whether the animals can move away, and whether the pace feels respectful.
The direct access to staff is another benefit. Guides such as Guy and Allie have been described as spending substantial time explaining the animals and answering questions. When the owner or a zoologist joins the visit, you may receive more personal insight into the animals and their care.
That personal approach also creates a possible weakness. Service can vary from one visit to another, and there have been complaints about staff being inattentive or slow to answer questions. The animal experience appears to be the main strength, but the human side may not always run with equal polish.
How the group size changes the experience

The tour highlights a group of 12 or fewer, which would give you a good chance to hear the guide and ask questions. The booking information also lists a maximum of 25, so the exact size may depend on the date or the way the experience is scheduled.
A smaller group is especially helpful during animal encounters. You have more room to see, fewer people competing for photographs, and a better chance to speak directly with the keeper. If you are traveling with children, the guide can usually respond more easily to their questions in a smaller group.
A larger group would not erase the main attractions, but it could make the close-up stops feel less personal. If group size is important to you, contact Camel Safari before finalizing your plans and ask which maximum applies to your chosen date.
Some people have ended up with only a few participants, creating an almost private visit. That is a pleasant possibility, not something you should count on.
Is $104 a fair price?
At $104, this is not the cheapest animal stop near Las Vegas. The value depends on what you want from the day.
If you only want to see camels for a few minutes, the price will feel high. You are paying for the property access, the tram ride, the keeper-led tour, the time spent answering questions, and the possibility of hands-on animal encounters. You are also paying for a visit that covers several species rather than one short photo opportunity.
The price makes more sense for families and animal lovers who value personal instruction. Feeding a porcupine or sloth, taking a photo with an ambassador camel, and seeing a herd of more than 30 camels are different from walking through a small exhibit area.
The cost also needs to be considered alongside the drive. If you are already staying in Mesquite or visiting the Bunkerville area, the experience is easier to justify. From central Las Vegas, add the time and fuel of the round trip to your calculation.
Some people have booked directly with Camel Safari at a lower price than through a third-party platform. Since prices and availability can change, compare the direct rate with the $104 package before paying. Make sure the cheaper option includes the same tram ride and full-access tour.
Heat, weather, and what to bring

Desert conditions are a real part of this experience. Wear a hat and sunscreen, and prepare for strong sun even during a pleasant morning. Comfortable clothes and shoes are sensible because the visit combines a tram ride with walking around animal areas.
The property may close or cancel during dangerous weather. A reported cancellation during a 117-degree heat warning shows why you should take the weather policy seriously. Extreme heat is not merely uncomfortable for you. It can also be unsafe for staff and animals.
If weather cancels your visit, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the 10:00 a.m. start time to receive a full refund. A cancellation within 24 hours is not refundable, and changes within that period are not accepted.
The mobile ticket is convenient, but keep your booking information easy to access. Communication has not been perfect in every case, with at least one person reporting that a reservation question went unanswered. If you have a special question or need to confirm an unusual detail, contact the operator early rather than waiting until the day before.
Who will enjoy this most?
I would choose this for families with children, animal lovers, and anyone who prefers a personal tour to a self-guided zoo visit. The combination of a tram, camels, unusual smaller animals, and keeper conversation gives the morning enough variety to hold attention.
It is also a good fit for children who like to ask questions. The tour is not just a series of viewing windows. Your child may get to feed an animal, take a camel photo, and hear why camelids can live in dry country.
Older children and adults should enjoy it too. The zebra-donkey hybrid, singing dogs, porcupines, and sloth provide plenty of unusual details for photographs and conversation.
I would be more cautious if you dislike driving, have limited time in Las Vegas, or expect a polished theme-park operation. This is a working animal property in the desert, and the experience can be shaped by weather, animal behavior, and staff availability.
Book the tram and zoo tour or skip it?
Book it if you want a substantial animal experience outside Las Vegas, especially if the idea of meeting more than 30 camels and asking keepers questions appeals to you. The strongest reasons to go are the open property, the unusual mix of animals, and the chance for direct contact with creatures such as a camel, porcupine, or sloth.
Skip it if you only have a short Las Vegas stay or if $104 feels too high for a two-hour activity plus the drive. You should also confirm the current group size, current animal encounters, and whether any camel riding is available if that is central to your plans.
For the best value, compare the direct booking price with the listed $104 rate, choose a mild-weather date, and leave room in your schedule. Bring sun protection, arrive prepared for a rural setting, and treat the encounter as an educational visit rather than a guaranteed animal show.
FAQ
Where does the Camel Safari tram and zoo tour begin?
The tour begins at Camel Safari Las Vegas, 2725 River Cliff Road, Bunkerville, Nevada 89007. It ends back at the same meeting point.
What time does the tour start?
The listed start time is 10:00 a.m.
How long does the experience last?
The experience lasts approximately two hours, though the amount of time can vary based on the pace of the tour and animal encounters.
What animals can I see?
The property includes more than 30 camels, along with animals such as zebras, singing dogs, two-toed sloths, porcupines, armadillos, hedgehogs, opossums, llamas, donkeys, and a zebra-donkey hybrid.
Is a camel ride included?
The package describes a camel safari tram ride and a photo opportunity with an ambassador camel. It does not state that camel riding is included.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refundable. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.
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